Sofas, storms and social responsibility

By Kandace York

Businesses across the nation are stepping up to support communities affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

“Do the right thing, and do the thing right” is how Dr. Bob Wu, BGSU’s interim chair of marketing, described it.

Stories like Houstonian furniture store owner “Mattress Mack” allow students to study social responsibility in action. Jim McIngvale’s furniture business might seem unrelated to emergency shelter, but his two stores of sofas, recliners, mattresses and more offered comfortable accommodations for local residents to endure Hurricane Harvey.

“I applaud that businessman,” Wu said. “It is an excellent example of social responsibility.”

BGSU’s College of Business professors use current events like these to help students better understand the concepts they study in class. “Social responsibility is something we teach right from the start,” Wu said. “Businesses are members of society and part of their communities. We tell our students that they need to see their communities as one of their stakeholders.”

Ed. note: Valor BGSU recently collected donations on campus for Hurricane Harvey victims. To make current donations to those affected by Hurricanes Harvey or Irma, email Valor BGSU .